Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 28, 2025

The name of the titular Girl With a Suitcase and this film's setting of Parma might almost unavoidably presume something to do with Giuseppe Verdi and Aida (the name of the character Claudia Cardinale portrays). Well, there may very well be a musical tether to this film, and it may indeed have at least Italian roots, but to put it in the vernacular, it ain't particularly operatic, and it sure as heck ain't Verdi. Comparisons abound between this film and Nights of Cabiria, but it may be the Americanized musical version, Sweet Charity, which might be the most salient comparison, at least insofar as that film's original ending does in fact portray a naïf who has been used and abused by any number of men setting out once again with suitcase in hand, living (as the Fosse film states) "hopefully ever after".

This Aida isn't in Egypt anymore, so to speak, and instead the film follows the romantic trials and tribulations of the title character, who quite like Charity Hope Valentine keeps getting dumped and/or taken for various rides by a number of charming but obviously boorish males. The main plot hinges on a certain subterfuge undertaken by a young man named Lorenzo (Jacques Perrin), the younger brother of one of Aida's former suitors (and possibly a man who has left her with an illegitimate child, though that wasn't entirely clear to me). What ensues is a sweet if slightly smarmy feeling quasi-affair between Aida and the younger Lorenzo, which may not have a "real" physical component, but which has emotion aplenty. Suffice it to say, Lorenzo's upper crust family is having none of it, and Aida may be about to be "on the road" again, whether or not she wants to be.

The film is a showcase for a young and spectacularly charming Cardinale, who is simply luminous throughout. Perrin is also quite good as a young man initially supposedly keeping a secret, but who obviously falls for his perceived "mark". Lovely location shooting also adds a lot of ambience to the admittedly pretty slight narrative.

Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Girl With a Suitcase is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Radiance Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Radiance's insert booklet contains to the following information on the transfer:

Girl With a Suitcase was scanned in 4K and restored at Cineteca di Bologna in Italy. The film was supplied to Radiance Films as a 4K file and is presented in the original aspect ratio.

This is a really luscious looking transfer for the most part, with consistent contrast helping to segue between indoor and outdoor material quite easily. Gray scale is nicely modulated, and the film's prevalence of midrange to close-up framings helps to support excellent detail levels There are a few very minor signs of age related wear and tear which have escaped the restoration gauntlet, but on the whole this is a pristine presentation with a nicely organic looking grain field.

Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Girl With a Suitcase features LPCM Mono audio in the original Italian. Some nascent rock 'n' roll cues and a variety of outdoor vignettes help to enliven the soundtrack, and a number of urban exterior scenes in particular have some good ambient environmental effects. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Piero Schivazappa (HD; 19:52) is an archival interview with assistant director Piero Schivazappa from 2006. Subtitled in English.


• Piero De Bernardi (HD; 17:07) is an archival interview with screenwriter Piero De Bernardi from 2006. Subtitled in English.


• Bruno Torri (HD; 17:04) is another 2006 piece done by No Shame Films, with film critic Bruno Torri offering background on Valerio Zurlini. Subtitled in English.


• Kat Ellinger (HD; 14:22) is a newly done essay by the always interesting Ellinger.

A nicely appointed insert booklet offers two interesting new essays and the usual cast/crew and technical information. The keepcase features a reversible sleeve and Radiance's trademark Obi strip.

Girl with a Suitcase Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Girl With a Suitcase is a sweet and unassuming film that manages to deliver a rather healthy amount of emotion. Cardinale is simply ebullient if maybe a bit dimwitted, and Perrin offers a touching portrayal as well. Technical merits are solid and the supplements enjoyable. Recommended.